The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-21

believe in harborin' them as didn't give
full account of themselves" Now
Mrs. WoOllet's desire to turn a penny
was so proverbial that jealousy of
another's having secured a paying
boarder was generally understood to be
at the bottom of her distrust. and her
observation about her not bein' willin'
to make herself servant to no stranger
did not arouse Mrs. Thompson's ire
If Blue Posts did not see much of
Harry Willard OH the day after his ar
rival, it made up for lost time on the
next. Before sundown he had made
the acquaintance of nearly every girl,
woman and child in the village, and in
the evening. at the combination grocery
and saloon, met many of the men. and
pledged their acquaintance in draughts
of home-brewed. The succeeding day
completed his introduction. He knew
every one in Blue Posts, and remem-
! bered nearly all their names, and in
some instances knew how many chill
dren and babies went to make up a
family. Before the week was over
Harry Willard iran the village" He
made portraits of all the pretty girls.
got up barn dances, organized picnics,
extemporized charades, and introduced
dozen forms Of amusement hitherto
unknown. OF course all the girls were
in love with him. and their former
rustic admirers were utterly eclipsed.
Willard did not single out any particu-
lar object for his attentions. Pretty
little M0llie Thompson and the tall,
majestic Helen WOOllet contended in
vain for his undivided homage. They
were not any more rewarded than
coquettish Susan Strong, who seemed
to delight to try to keep him at dis
tance. He was friendly with all, but
made love to none, not even to Fanny
White, the clevereSt, the handsonFsst
and the quietest of Blue Posts beauties.
1t was reported tnat more than one of
these had been seen going to or return
ing from the squaw's cottage. and it
was even limited that they sought love
philters and charms. Certain wild
flowers that are supposed to show the
intentions or constancy of lovers were
also noticed to be in great demand.
In all the freedom of his intercourse
with Young and old Harry Willard
never revealed his profession or busi-
ness, and when questioned on the sub
iect would turn off the interrogation
with a joke. Why he had come to Blue
statement that he had hit upon it by
chance while on a walking tour was
not believed. The truth is so simple
that persons looking for secrets unhes-
itatingly reject it. Whatever brought
him to the village. he found sufficient
charm there to remain for nearly two
months. Then he. disappeared as sud-
denly as he had come. Early one
morning one of Thompson small boys
arrived at the house of each young lady
in Blue Posts, and presented her with
an addressed enyelop. On this being
opened. its contents were found to be a
card bearing in engraved characters
the words:
HARRY WILLARD,
No East Fifteenth Steeet,
NcIC York,
and written in a bold black hand and
very black ink, in capital letters, '.P
Z. c."
Inquiry of Thompson's boy elected
the news that Muster" Willard had
got letter the day before, and told
mother he must go to York ''tcrwunce,"
and he'd buckled on his pack and
footed it at daylight.
That afternoon the book club met,
and All the girls were there. The event
of the day-Willard' disappearance
was too aIl-absorbing to permit of any
other subject being discussed. All had
received cards exactly alike. but none
knew what they meant. What were
the mystic words represented by those
cabalistic capital initials?
81 think" said Molly Thompson,
'they stand for Policeman in Plain
Clothes"
20, nonscnscr' This was the remark
of chorus.
"YCu may say nonsense, retorted
Molly; ''but he was very mysterious,
and it is my belief that he was after
some one or something
"Ycs; you thought 1t was you," ex-
claimed spiteful Jenny Firth.
81 never did, you nasty mean thing!
Anyways. he never looked at YOU"
Don't quarrel, girls exclaimed
Helen Woollet. 1--WE want to hear what
every one has to say about these letters.
L think they mean Professional Painter
in Colors."
'Bosh!" cried Susan Strong; che
didn't paint well enough to be pro-
fessional. l don't know what they
stand for, but know what they ought
to. and that is: 'Paltry, Perjured Cox
comb
Listen to her" shrieked Molly;
'tShe wants us to believe he made love
to herr
II should be too proud to want to
make out that d been Tilted" observed
Jenny Firth.
YOU'RE all real mean, and l won't t
stay with you, exclaimed Susan. as she
fiOunced out of the room and banged
the door behind her.
81 imagine" said Martha Laidlaw,
who was serious-minded, "those letters
mean Priest of the Protestant Church. -
20. but he wasn't a bit like priest, y
objected Jenny: s.and there are no